Cornwall Ontario– The River Kings powered past the defending LNAH champion Thetford Assurancia 4-2 on Sunday afternoon at the Civic Complex in front of 791 fans.

Charles Lavigne, with a 48-save performance, was the difference for Cornwall. The River Kings powerplay was sharp, connecting for three goals on the afternoon.

Sasha Pokulok opened the scoring for the River Kings with a powerplay goal 5:25 into the contest. Thetford leveled the score moments later with a powerplay goal of their own when captain Sebastien Courcelles beat Lavigne at 9:18.

Cornwall took the lead back early in the second when Sy Nutkevitch took advantage of a turnover behind the Thetford net and beat Gabriel Girard 38 seconds into the middle frame.

Antony Courcelles banged in a loose puck in the crease for a powerplay goal at 6:19 of the second before J.P. Caron finished off a pretty passing play at 12:59 for another goal with the man advantage. The Caron marker, from the high slot, chased Girard from the game.

Stephane Boileau scored a wraparound goal with 8:42 to play in the contest to bring Thetford to within two goals.

The game featured a spirited bout, as Curtis Tidball of the River Kings dropped the mitts with Ryan Hand of the Assurancia early in the second.

Thetford outshot Cornwall 50-36 on the afternoon. Lavigne (first), Caron (second) and Nutkevich were the announced stars.

Photo of Lavigne by Ice Level Photography.